Partition construction and assembly



April 7 1965 J. A. BOHNSACK 3,180,457

PARTITION CONSTRUCTION AND ASSEMBLY Filed Dec. 3, 1959 13 Sheets-Sheet 1 I 2o 32 a0 :3 9

2*- f 35 H 7 25 37 4s -3 u '5 o 2 /23 34 8 w FIG. 4

INVEN TOR. JOHN A. BOHNSACK BY MJWafiga ATTORNEYS April 1965 J. A. BOHNSACK 3,180,457

PARTITION CONSTRUCTION AND ASSEMBLY Filed DEC. 3, 1959 1,3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 6 /B 1 g L. n

INVENTOR. JOHN A. BOHNSACK ATTORNEYS Aprii 27, 1965 J. A. BbHNsAcK 3,180,457

PARTITION CONSTRUCTION AND ASSEMBLY Filed Dec. 3, 1959 13 Sheets-Sheet S 86 9' I ".1-" so 82 s3 FIG. H

INVENTOR. JOHN A. BQHNSACK ATTORNEYS April 27, 1965 J. A. BOHNSACK 3,180,457

PARTITION CONSTRUCTION AND ASSEMBLY Filed Dec. 3, 1959 13 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. JOHN A. BOHNSACK' ww abmeql,

ATTORNEYS April 27, 1965 J. A. BOHNSACK I 3,180,457

PARTITION CONSTRUCTION AND ASSEMBLY Filed Dec. 3, 1959 13Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR. JOHN A. BOHNSACK ATTORNEYS FIG. I6

A ril 27, 1965 J. A. BOHNSACK 3, 7

PARTITION CONSTRUCTION AND ASSEMBLY Filed Dec. 3, 1959 13 Sheets-Sheet 6 FIG. 19 um INVENTOR. JOHN A. BOHNSACK BY (7M, 7M afimZ ATTORNEYS April 27, 1965 J. A. BOHNSACK PARTITION CONSTRUCTION AND ASSEMBLY 13 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Dec. 3, 1959 FIG. 2|

223 FIG. 28

INVENTOR. JOHN A. BOHNSACK ATTORNEYS April 27, 1965 J. A. BOHNSACK PARTITION CONSTRUCTION AND ASSEMBLY 15 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Dec. 3, 1959 2 K mam an 6 3 w m 0 B VB m M 43 N 3 O 9 3 m W 8% J 3 /V n M Aw fiv iv l w o 3 3 G H O -a m a y 2 7 m 2 2 I 7 l|5 6 2 3 6 l 2 4 6 5 5 2 Q 2 .2 5w 3 2 mjvnfirgapomwwg ATTORNEYS April 27, 1955 J. A. BOHNSACK 3,180,457

PARTITION CONSTRUCTION AND ASSEMBLY Filed Dec. 3, 1959 13 Sheets-Sheet 10 35 W \l v 355 i 356 J 1m, [363 Hi FIG. 32

J I, in 332 333 FIG. 37 357' as:

32s FIG. 33 a 33 325 fii 356 w 320 K- ass 32 LA 329 5 33? 364 365 ass 332 324 FIG. 35

INVENT OR. JOHN A. BOHNSACK April 27, 1965 J. A. BOHNSACK 3,180,457

PARTITION GONSTRUCT ION AND ASSEMBLY Filed Dec. 3. 1959 1a Sheets-Sheet 12 m I v N v 2} 9 w k E v N E INVENTOR. JOHN A. BOHNSACK BY FIG. 4|

ATTORNEYS q INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS 1s Sheets- Sheet 13 JOHN A. BOHNSACK J. A. BOHNSACK PARTITION CONSTRUCTION AND ASSEMBLY April 27, 1965 Filed Dec.. 3, 1959 United States Patent 3,180,457 PARTKTION CONSTRUCTION AND ASSEMBLY John A. Bohnsacir, Shaker Heights, Ohio, assignor to The E. F. Hansel-man Company, Cleveland, Ghio, a corps" ration of Ohio.

FiledDec. 3, 1959; Ser. No. 856,979 2 Claims. (Cl. 189-44) This invention relates, asindicated, to a partition construction and assembly and more particularly to a flush partition construction that may readily be assembled and disassembled.

It is of prime importance in the construction of movable interior partitionsio provide partition sections that.

will be simple of construction employing asfew parts as possible whichare easyto manufacture, erect and disassemble. Moreover, the requirements for flexible modular interior constructions as viewed from an appearance or architectural point of view insist that posts for thepanels including both glass and wall sections, do not have excessively overlappingor protruding parts'which present an irregular appearance to the face of the partition wall. Such flush construction using thinwall or glass sections,

thereby requiring less useable floor space, is the type of,

partition in greatest demand because of its clean appearance. An example of such flush partition construction may be seen in my copending application, Serial No. 798,- 491, filed March 10, 1959, entitled Movable Partition Construction, now Patent No. 3,120,031, patented February-4, 1964.

Due to unevenness of the masonry floors, walls and ceilings in most buildings, it is extremely difiicult to assemble or insert a partition wall construction in which all of the joints will appear as lines and not be spaced to present uneven gaps or unsightly overlapped portions. Moreover, it is extremely difficult to make tight joints to produce a strong and rigid interior partition system. Accordingly without compensating features, unevenness in the building construction will mar the clean appearance of an interior partition system.

Because of the thinness of the partition sections, it has generally been impossible to provide these partitions with accessible wiring permitting any sort of flexibility in the electrical outlets or switch arrangements for subsequent variations in uses within the layout. Since the prime reason for employing movable interior walls is complete flexibility in the use of a given floor area, it is extremely important that electrical flexibility also be made available. Heretofore conduit wiring could only be provided in the heavier or paneled oi'lice type of partition sections and only generally inaccessible wiring could be provided in the more narrow iiush partition. Such inaccessible wiring provides almost no flexibility and any change in the wiring size or electrical layout generally necessitated the complete disassembly of the partition to remove, replace or rearrange such wiring. Moreover, stringent fire and electrical building codes often require such metallic conduit or heavy-duty wiring and for this reason, have made the more generally acceptable flush partitions unavailable for use in manylocales.

The reason that conduit wiring has not been generally provided in the flush type of partition is that the panel sections are connected together in an end post construction by locking key members which hold the panel together as well as serving to space the panels properly apart. There simply has not been suficient room between panel sections for the interlocking key members and the electrical conduits. As a result, the post closure or appearance cap generally has to protrude outwardly to accommodate such conduit and this immediately destroys the flush appearance of the partition assembly. Moreover, the floor and ceiling channels or cornice members which accommodate 3J8M5'Z Patented Apr. 27, 1 985 thehorizontal conduits have to be so connected. to the vertical post constructions as to allow a rather. large radius of curvature for such conduitto accommodatethe change in the conduitfrom a horizontal to a vertical position. Such interconnections between the postconstructions and the horizontal members must. be such that the partition will retain-its overall flush appearance to be commercially acceptable and yet electrically functional.

It is accordingly a principal object of this invention to provide a partition construction and assemblyhaving a neat appearance and yet providing complete electrical flexibility.

It is a further principal object of my inventionto. provide a neat appearing partitionconstructionwhich may include both horizontal andvertical accessible passageways forwiring.

It is a still further principal object of myinvention to provide a partition system that will readily. accommodate itself to unevenness in the construction of the building in which it is placed to present a clean flush appearanceeven though the building walls and floors, for example, arenot rectilinear.

It is another object of my invention to provide a partition construction'and assembly that will require relatively few easily manufactured parts.

It is yet another object of my invention to providesuch an assembly that can readily be assem bled and disassembled. i

Other objects and advantages of thepresent invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawings setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but a few of the variousways in which the principle of the invention may be. employed. V i

In said annexed drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary elevation of an interior partition lay out employing my movable assembly;

FIG; 2 is a fragmentary horizontal section of'an end.

filler for use with my partition assembly;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing in more detail the end filler clip used with the construction shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a vertical section taken substantially. on the line 4 l'of FIG. 2;

FIG. Sis a fragmentary perspective view of a connection between the panel plates and panel verticalsthatmay be employed with my partition assembly;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary horizontal'section of the, connection shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to that of FIG. 5 illustrating an alternative form ofconnection;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary horizontal section of the connection construction shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of a two-way or right-angled post construction that may be used in my. partition assembly;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary horizontal section of the, post construction shown inFIG. 9; l v

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of a one-way or end-to-end post construction that may be usedin my partition assembly; v

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary horizontal section of the post FIG. is a fragmentary perspective view of my post construction within the base assembly with the panel ver- 7 stantially on the line 17-17 of FIG. 16;

FIG; 18 is a fragmentary perspective view of an extension assembly for my post construction illustrating such extension engaged within a ceiling channel;

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary horizontal section of the assembly shown in'FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary perspective view of the 'fspecial clips retaining the cornice on top of my partition assembly; 7

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary top plan view of my post and cornice connection; 7

FIGS. 22 through 24 are diagrammatic views illustrating the manner in which'my cornice hold-down clips may be engaged with my p'anelverticals; I

FIG. 25 is a fragmentary vertical section of my cornice splice construction; I I a FIG. 26 is a side elevation of such cornice splice illustrating the manner in which the cornice members are held together at the cornice joint; I

FIG. 27 is a top plan view illustrating the tie bars employed with my cornice splice;

'FIG'. 28 is a fragmentary vertical section taken substantially on the line 284-28 of FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is a fragmentary vertical section of the top of my partition assembly illustrating the manner in which it is joined to a ceiling channel member;

FIG. 30 -is a fragmentary perspective view 'of the base of my partition wall'assembly with the top and sides cut away for clarity of illustration showing the electrical conduit and outlets that may be employed therein;

FIG. 31. is an exploded horizontal sectional view illustrating the manner in which clips may be employed to form three and four-way posticonstructions;

FIGS. 32 and 33 are similar horizontal sectional views illustrating the employment of an alternative form of clip for forming three-way post constructions;

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the clip employed in the construction shown in FIGS. 32 and 33;

FIG. 35 is 'a horizontal section illustrating the. clip of FIG. 34 utilized to form a four-way post construction;

FIG. 36 is a horizontalsection illustrating my .finished end construction and more particularly the unique key employed therewith; 7

FIG. 37 is a fragmentary view illustrating the manner in which the key shown in FIG. 36 is inserted on the the manner in which the horizontal support shown in FIG; 41 is secured to the panel vertical;

FIG. 43 is'a fragmentary elevation of my panel wall 7 employing a thru-post;

7 FIG. 44 is' a fragmentary enlarged detailed elevation of the post construction shown in FIG. 43;

FIG. 45 is. a fragmentary vertical section taken substantially on the line 4545 of FIG. 44; W

FIG. 46 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken substantially on the line46-46 of FIG. 45; and

FIG. 47 is a fragmentary horizontal sectionillustrating ition. 3.

the manner in which the thru-post. is secured between my v post keys.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a particular partition elevation which may, for example, include an'end filler 1 eX tending between the wall 2 and an initial post constructween a floor channel 4 and a ceiling channel or cornice 5. The panel sections may include doors as shown at6, windows or merely panel wall sections as shown at 7. An example of the manner in which a door may be employed in my partition assembly may be seen inmy copending application, Serial No. 840,747 filed'September 17, 1959 entitled Door Construction, j The construction of the posts 3 are similar in nature to the post constructions shown in my aforementi'oncd copending'application and employ a panel verticalof the general sectional configuraand I1 and the central portion of the vertical includes a vertically extending channel 12. In this manner, these 7 panel verticals may be employed to construct one-way,

two-way, three-way or four-way post constructions with the vertical edges It and 11 formingperfect miter joints 7 with cooperating panel verticals on adjoining panel sections.

The panel itself is composed of two side panel plates 13 and 14 of a preferably thin gauge metallic construction having rebent ends 15 and 16 fitting. within the enlarged channel 12 of my panel vertical. The plates Band 14 may suitably be reinforced by spaced rib constructions and the area I7 therebetween may enclose a conventional insulating materialeg rock Wool, foamed plastic, fibrous plastic or glass, 'etc., whereby the panel section will meet the various requirements of the quite stringent fire codes that generally prevail in most American cities today. The

manner in which the plates are secured to the panel vertical will hereinafter more fully be discussed.

Since for a particular partition construction applicatlon, the interior dimensions of a floor area generally do not permit the use of an even number of standard panel sections, an end filler section must be employed to fill in the leftover space. This is, of course, generally the space 7 between the Wall and an adjoining post construction.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 3 and '4,I have illustrated a wall channel 20 which may be afi'ixed to such wall by nails, screws or the like, such channel having rebent vertical edge portions 21 and 22. These are formed by folding the sheet material of the channel member back 1 insulating material whereby the entire Wall structure will be fireproof. I

As shown more clearly in FIG. 4, the bottom wall or Web 23 has tabs 25 and 26 punched therefrom to extend generally parallel to the portions 21 and 2 2. If desired e'inbossrnent ribs of the configuration shown at 27 in FIG. 4 maybe provided to reinforce and rigidify the wall 23.

The tabs 25 and 26 resiliently bearing against the rebent portions 21 and 22 cooperate to provide retainer pockets for the plates 23 and 2% of my end filler panel. Such plates have rebent portions 3% and 31 terminating in .resilientilatch portions 32 and 33 adapted to be snapped over the angled rebent flanges lit and II of the panel vertical. The tips of the vertical edge'rebent portions 30 andfil fit between the vertical edge of the panel verticalsecured latched position, I-provide a spring retaining clip 7 having a channel-shape body 34 closely conforming to the channel S ot the panel vertical, the configuration of which The end filler is a panel section extending be' is more clearly shown in FIG. 3. This clip may be made from spring steel, for example, and has two central wing portions 35 and 36 which bear against the latch portions 32 and 33 of the extension plates 28 and The sides of the body are formed with punched out tangs or latches '37 which snap into grooves formed in the sides of the channel. It can now be seen that I have provided an end filler plate which may readily be assembled to fill out the odd length of my partition wall. The tabs and 2:5 will act as spring retainers for the plates and 2 and the latches 32 and 33 may readily be secured between the outer wing portions and 3c of the spring clip and the ends of the rebent flanges and Again, suitable insulation material may readily be employed between the plates 28 and 29.

Now referring to the manner in which the panel plates may be secured to the panel verticals, reference may be had to the alternative embodiments shown FIGS. 5 througn 8, inclusive. Referring first to FIGS. 5 and 6, it may be seen that the plates 13 and 14 having their rebent edges 15 and in secured within the channel 12 may be provided with vertically extending cutout openings 46 and 41 in the end faces a..d thereof. These cutouts are of the general configuration shown in PEG. 5 and have an enlarged central portion to facili ate the insertion therethrough of hooks 44 and These hooks are formed from the panel vertical and have rebent tips as shown in FIG. 5. The interior of the walls 42 and 435 are provided with slight ridges or detents as adjacent the vertical ends of the elongated openings 4% and 4.1. It can now be seen that the panel vertical may firmly be secured to the plates 1.3 and 3% simply by positioning the rebent edges thereof in the channel 12, inserting the hooks '4 and 45 through the openings ll; and ll and sliding the panel vertical upwardly until the rebent tips of the hooks 4 2- and 45 latch over the ridges A typical panel vertical may be provided with, for example, seven mating hooks and openings firmly to secure the panels thereto. As is obvious, the symmetrical configuration of the openings and ridges permits either the plate or id or he vertical 3 to be inverted and yet still easily assemble Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, I illustrate an alternate form of connection for the panel vertical and panel plates. The channel 12 of the panel vertical may be provided with spaced apertures for the insertion therethrough of screws 47. These screws threadedly engage inner verticals or members of a configuration more clearly shown in PEG. 8. These inner verticals are provided with central channels having inclined sides as more clearly shown at in this manner, the inner vertical will firmly wedge the rebent portions or the plates 13 14- within the channel 12 thus firmly securing the plates to the vertical 8. A suitable number of vertically spaced fastening elements 37 may be provided firmly to secure the panel vertical to the panel plates.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 1G, I illustrate a two way post construction for my partition assembly. Such post construction may comprise panel plates 5i and 51 secured to the panel vertical 52 in either manner just described. The rebent edge portion 53 of the panel vertical 52 is positioned face-to-face with a rebent edge pordon 54- of a further panel vertical 55 having plates 55 and 57 secured thereto in a similar manner. Accordingly, the position of the two panels forms a perfect right angled joint with the rebent edge portions of the panel verticals forming a perfect miter joint at the intersecting corner, the relative narrowness of the panel verticals permitting the plates 51 and 57 to join in a visible line contact at 58 to present a clean and flush appearing interior joint. In order properly to secure the panel verticals together and properly to space them in the required relationship, I provide a two-way post key or" the configuration more clearly seen in Fl 10.

The post key 59 comprises a main body portion 69 having edge portions 61 and 62 of the configuration shown snugly to fit within the rebent edge flange portions 63 and 6d of the panel verticals 52 and 55. These portions 61 and 62 closely fit around the enlarged central channels in each panel vertical. Extending from the main body 66 of the key 59, I provide an arm 65 having two extending finger or prong portions 66 and 67 adapted to enclose and hold together the mating rebentfiange por tions 53 and 54 of the panel verticals. As shown in FIG. 9, the edges 53 and 54 of the respective panel verticals may be inwardly indented as at 68 to hold the key 559 at its proper vertical position with respect to the panel verticals. Barbs or tangs 69 may also be punched from the sides of the central channel portions of the panel verticals further to support the keys in the proper position. An angled post cap '70 is provided having the rebent edges '71 and 72. terminating in the rebent latch edges 73 and 74 whereby such post cap may be secured to the post construction to present a flush trim strip to obtain a pleasing appearance for the entire post construction, it being noted, that only three lines will appear in my post construction.

Referring now to the one-way post construction shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, it will be seen that I employ panel plates and 81 secured to panel vertical 82. in the heretofore described manner joined in in-line relation to a panel formed of plates 83 and S4 similarly joined to panel vertical 85. In order to form my one-way post construction, I employ two post keys 8% and 87 having an identical configuration. For example, key 87 has an oflfset central portion 83 and terminates in opposite enlarged hook-like portions 89 and 99 fitting between the enlarged central channels and the respective vertical rebent flanges of each panel vertical. The enlarged ends 89 and 90 fit behind the rebent flanges firmly to secure the panel verticals against relative movement. Since the ends of these keys abut the panel verticals, they are firmly spaced in the proper position. Two keys provide the necessary stability to produce a completely stable and rigid oneway partition post construction.

It can now be seen that the panel verticals which have my specially shaped keys interconnecting them Will be firmly held to prevent slipping and resultant misalignment of the various panel units. These keys may be vertically spaced :1 distance of, for example, eighteen inches and will keep the verticals positively aligned so that they will correctly engage the post cap. Thus the post cap will provide a continuous engagement for the full height of the partition to provide a uniform, good,

sound and light seal and further to allow application and removal of the post cap Without distortion. Accordingly, the precise alignment of the verticals provided by the keys facilitates the use of my unique post caps.

The otlset bodies of the post keys provide a central inwardly directed concave edge portion 91 on each key which terminates in recesses 93' and 94 adjacent the enlarged central channels on each respective panel vertical. The purposes of these recesses will hereinafter be more fully described.

As shown more clearly in PEG. 11, the rebent flange portions 95 and 96 of the opposed panel verticals are inwardly bent as shown at 97 to maintain the keys in their proper position. Further, post caps $8 and 99 are provided in a manner similar to the cap '76 for the one- Way post construction to provide the trim strip necessary for a neat flush post construction. it can readily be seen that such post construction may easily be assembled by the proper positioning of the keys with relation to the panel verticals firmly to secure the panel sections together in the desired position. The post caps may then readily be snapped on the opposed rebent edge flanges of the panel verticals to complete the post construction to provide the desired flush neat appearance, such caps being merely latched or snapped into position. It can be seen that both my one-way and two-way post constructions provide a central enlarged open area through stallati'ons as shownin phantom lines in a manner hereinafter more clearly described; The conduits C may provide wiring for outlets O as shown in post cap 93in FIG. 11. These outlets may be light switches, telephone jacks or conventional plug receptacles, for example.

In order to form a three-way post construction or a joint for three panel sections, a construction as that illustrated in FIG. 13 may be employed. lnjthis case, a panel utilizing panel plates 181 and 162 may have secured to the vertical end thereof a panel vertical 1&3 in either of the aforemcntionedmanners. A panel vertical 104 and a similar panel vertical Hi5 are mitered therewith to form the three-way construction shown. The panel verticals 194 and 1% are shown employed with glazing panels utilizing glass panes 1% and 1 3 7 with resilient metallic glazing strips 3.535 and 1G9 as shown-in my copending application, Serial No. 811,094 filed May 5, 1959 entitled Glazing Assembly, now Patent No. 3,081,504, patented March 19,1963. It will, of course, be understood that all of the panel verticals shown can employ glazing panels in all otthevarious constructions shown. Thus a minimum size square post may be formed with all of the verticals accommodating glass panes. Fitted'within the rebent vertical flange portions of-the panel verticals 134 and 1 35 is my oneway key lltl. This key is identical in form to the keys 86 and 87 used in my one-way post construction and may be held'against vertical displacement bythe inwardly bent portions on the rebent edges on the panel vertical, and the tangs or latches punched out from the sides of 1 the central channel.

7 channel of T the configuration more clearly shown in F163. 15 and l channel 3.3203 the top of which are placed shims 14d.

panel verticals.

The number and thickness of the shims wilhot course,

etermine the propervertical position of the panel verticals. if desired, a resilient plastic material, such as a strip of foamed polyurethane, may be. employed as a footing or seal beneath the floor channel to compensate I to variations in the evenness of the fioors andwalls'in tical flange portions of the panel vert'icals 194 and 165.

The central portion of the key'includes a narrow bridge portion to accommodate the depth ofthe channel 112. A post cap 116 which may also include an outlet may be employed to close the open side of the post construction to produce a finished neat appearance to the joint. It is noted that these combinations of keys may be employed with keys of theconfiguration shown in FIGS. 9 and IO'firmly to hold the panel vertical 1% against the rebent edge portions of the opposed panel verticals 164 and 165. Special clips hereinafter more fully described may also be employed to lock or latch the verticals together. Z

The four-way post construction shown in EEG. 14

utilizes keys 120 and 121 which are identical in configuration andmay be the same as keys 113 in 1 16.13. These keys employ the more narrow center portion to accommodate the channels in the opposed panel verticals 122 and 123. Again, the'rebent edgeportion's of the panel verticals may be inwardly bent and tabs punched from the channel walls to secure the keys in their proper'position. The keys illustratedmay, of course, cooperate with j are in turn welded to specially formed stilts 13d and of the configuration more clearly shown in FIG. 15. The

stilt 134 has two spaced legs 136 and 137 as does the stilt 135. These legs support the top shelf of the stilt to which the panel vertical is welded. in effect, the stilts constitute an integral extensionor spaced eet for the I channel is completed.

'member is shown in which they are placed. The basic function of the twospaced legs 136 and 137 of my stilt is (l) to position the vertical and support the same to prevent lateral movement; (2) to provide the necessary clear space to run theconduit C horizontally within the base assembly; and (3) to permit removal ofa panel unit without disturbing the conduit C and, of course, to permit the reinstallation of the panel again without disturbing the wiring. Thus with the stilt straddling the horizontal run of the wiring, the panels may be inserted andiremoved ithout disturbing such wiring.

'Reterring now to Fla. 16, 1 illustrate the manner in which he joint between the panel'section and the floor The panel section includes two plates 141 142. The plate M1 has securedthereto V a reinforcing rib left-abutting reinforcing rib 144 on the plate 142. These ribs maybe spot welded to the panel plates and, as will be seen, each rib terminates in horizontally rebent portions 145 and 14-6 adjacent the lower edge of the panel plate. These rebent portions 145 and 14-6 form seats for an outer retainer member 147; This member may extend the length of the panel plate and has side wall portions and 1 5 overlappin the panel plate and ribs to form a rigid lower wall construction with the panel plate. The central portion of the retainer 147 is downwardly ofiset as shown at 15b and has a downwardly opening channel 151 therein. As shown more clearly in EEG. 17, the top of this downwardly opening groove or channel is formed with openings 152 and 153 for a purpose hereinafter more fully described. It will be understood that these pairs of openings may be spaced along the entire bottom edge of the panel plate. This channel 151 cooperates with an inner retainer member Thesectional configuration of this inner retainer 7 l6 and is longitudinally coextensive with the outer retainer member ii -t7. The inner retainer member 15 is essentially a channel-shape member having .reb 'ent edge portions 155 and 156 of the configuration shown in 16. The top portion of the downwardly openin channel member 154, as shown in 17, is formed'with openings 157 and 1158 juxtaposed to the openings 152 and 153 in the channel 151 of s base outer retainer. As seenin PEG. 17, the juxtaposed pairs of openings constitute a receptacle for the insertion of aspring clip 155, the ends of which bear against the 7 bottom or" member as shown at 16% and 161 and the center or" which bears against the top of member 147 as shown at 162 In this manner, the clip will exert an upr'ard pressureat res and lofi to maintain the inner retainermember within the channelof the outer retainer member 1 17.

0n each side of the floor channel 133, I provide recessed base wall plates 165 and Each of these base plates has the top edge thereof rebent as shown at 167 and 168.

The b so plates continue from this upper rebent edge base inner retainer to be forced upwardly in turn to he stiltsare secured withina floor The floor channel has an inverted exert an upward pressure at the point exert an upward pressure on downwardly directed flanges 171- and 172. In this manner, the base plates will not only be held in their latched position within the rebent portions 155 and 155 or" the inner ret ner memher, but they will also be subjected to an upward force as the result of spring exerting an upward pressure on the inner retainer. As ca be seen, the base plates 165 and T66 slide upwardly with respect to the floor channel and my unique spring latching arrangement automatically compensates for variations in the floor and floor channel secured thereto to maintain the base plates 165 and led with their top rebent edges 11? and 163 against the bottom horizontal edges and 146 of the panel plate reinforcing ribs and to iteep the plates against the sides of channel As seen in FlG. 17, my stilt arrangement permits a conduit C to be directed from a horizontal position within the floor channel 133 to a vertical position within a post construction formed by two panel verticals 13d and 131. The panel verticals will be properly held together by the key members illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, the enlarged central opening between the keys readily accommodating the vertically extending conduit C. (Note FIG. 30.) Not only will my partition construction shown readily accommodate such wiring, but it also is readily conducive to a neat appearing juncture between the panel plates and the door channel. As can be seen, the stilts 134 and 135 merely constitute spaced feet for the panel verticals to avoid the wire conduit in the door channel. The offset configuration of the feet also accommodates the radius of curvature in the conduit as it moves from a horizontal to a vertical direction. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 17, the recessed lower portions 175' and 1% of the stilts have a sufiicient spread to clear a floor channel normal to the floor channel 138 at threeand four-way post constructions.

Referring now to FIGS. 18 and 19, 1 illustrate a top post extension ti at may be employed in my partition post construction firmly to secure the partitions within a ceiling channel This channel may be secured to the s 17 and 174 to 10v. ceiling as by screws or other fastening means in a manner similar to the manner in which the iloor channel is secured to the floor. The ceiling channel is of a similar configuration to the floor channel 138 and includes a central channel 131, the bottom of which is spaced from the ceiling. In order to sect re a panel wall within the ceiling channel to keep it aligned therewith, I utilize a vertical extension 182. The extension 182 is of channel form as may more clearly be seen in FIG. 19 and is or such configuration as to fit closely about the exterior of the enlarged central channel 183 in a panel vertical 184. As noted in a one-way post construction, the keys 86 and 37 are provided with the recessed portions 5 3 and 93. (Note FIG. 12.) The recess within the keys, as can now be seen, readily permits the insertion of the vertical extension 182 about the channel portion 183 of the panel vertical 134. In order to maintain the vertical extension against the central panel of the vertical, I provide an extension spring clip T35 of eneral channel shape conforming to the channel form of the extension 182. The ends of the body of the clip are provided with rebent latch members 186 which snap over the edges of the extension 182. Simultaneously, central reentrant portions 137 snap within the groove 13% formed in the sides of the channel portion 183 of the panel vertical. The vertical extension 182 upwardly terminates in two leg portions 188 and 139 secured about he central channel 181 in the ceiling channel. An opening 1% is provided in such vertical extension for the insertion therethrough of a conduit for wiring. The joint between the upper edge of the panel plate and the ceiling channel may be closed in a. manner similar to the joint between the lower edge of the panel and the door channel as hereinatte described.

If desired, however, a cornice member may be em ployed between the top of the partition wall and the ceiling. FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate a manner inwhich the cornice channel member may be retained on the top of the partition wall. A cornice 2% of the configuration shown in FIG. 20 is provided with an opening 261, a portion of which is shown in FIG. 20, positioned above my one-way post construction. This opening is provided with four keyhole necked recesses 202 at each corner thereof. In order to hold the cornice on the top of the partition wall, I employ a cornice holddown clip 20?; of

the configuration more clearly seen in FIG. 28. This clip includes a horizontal bridge top portion Edd-of a width slightly larger than the width of the keyhole 262.

Depending from the top bridge is the hook-like body 265 terminating in upturned tip 2%. The hold-down clip is made from a spring steel and the legs have initially the configuration shown in FIG. 22 being rebent at 2.97 and terminating in a curved latching portion 298. Punched from the webs 289 of the panel verticahl provide cornice holddown clip retainers Zltl. These retainers are symmetrical with both the top and bottom having stepped latching portions 211 and 212, the profile of which is more clearly shown in FIGS. 22, 23 and 24. As can be seen, the clip may readily be secured to the panel verticals by snapping the same into position with a common tool, such as a screw driver S. The screw driver'is initially placed in the position shown in FlG. 22 beneath the latching portion 211 and rotated in a clockwise direction to extend the tip 266' to position it beneath the lowermost latching portion 212. Continued clockwise rotation of the screw driver readily removes the same and leaves the clip in the latched position shown in FIG. 24. In this manner, the clip will exert a continuing downward pressure on the cornice 2% to maintain it against the top edge of the partition wall. Suitable extensions such as mineral board or steel plates may be employed between the seats 213 and 214 on the top of the cornice and the sides of a ceiling channel completely to close the top of my partition wall. Gnce the extensions or filler are installed, the space from the cornice to the ceiling is closed off making it impossible to gain access to the top opening or" the cornice. Accordingly, the only way a connection can be made is from the underside of the cornice and for this reason I employ my special hold-down clip.

Referring now to FIGS. 25, 26, 27 and 28, I illustrate a cornice splice which may be utilized to draw the abutting cornice members closely together to form a tight joint. The cornice 22 labuts cor-nice 221 to form a cornice joint 222. In order properly to align the cornice members 221-and 22b, 1 provide bottom and top cornice splicing members 223 and 224 respectively. These members may preferably be made of relatively heavy gauge steel and are of the sectional configuration shown in FIGS. 25 and 23. These members extend within the cornice for a considerable length on each side or" the joint. As an example, the cornice splice members may extend from 10" to 11" within a 2% high cornice, the total length of such splice members being approximately 22". Both splice members are of the general rebent U-shape configuration shown and thetop splice memer is providedwith threaded openings 225 for the insertion therethrough of set screws 226. These set screws engage the center portions of the opposite bottom splice member 223. it can now be seen that the set screws will be effective to force apart the opposed central portions of the splices 223 and 22 6-. This will cause the cornice splice to expand and exert outward forces against the interior of the cornice member. The directions of these forces are illustrated by the arrows in FIG. 25.

The cornice splice members may be provided throughmembers.

bers will serve to align the opposed cornice members to form a perfectly aligned joint 222.

In order longitudinally to position the cornice members a in the desired location, I provide near the ends thereof,

. tie bars 227 and 22% for the cornice members 22% and 221 respectively. As shown in FIG. 28 the tie bars are welded to the top recessed shoulders 22? and 23d of the cornice formed in the symmetrical shape shown to facilitate as sembly with the demise member properly to form the cornice joint. If desired, further tie bars may be employed with apertures 23s and 237 further to rigidify the cornice jo nt.

which the joint between the panel section and the ceiling channel is completed. The ceiling channel may be en.- ployed in addition to or instead of the cornice member as illustrated in FIG. 20. The panel section includes two panel plates 250 and 251 which have respectively secured thereto reinforcing ribs 252 and 253. These ribs abut as shown at 25-!- and may be spot welded to the respective panel'plates, each rib terminating in horizontally rebent portions 255'and 256 adjacent the top edge of the panel plates. The ribs also include rebent seat portions 257 and 258, the space between the 'rebent portions 255 and 257 on the rib 252 and the rebent portions 256 and 253 on the rib 253 forming retaining seats for the side wall portions 259 and 26% of outer retaining member 261. This retaining member 261 may extend the length of the panel plate and the Walls 259 and 260 thereof form a rigid upper wall reinforcement for the panel plate. The cen' tral portion of the member 26% is. formed with an up- I wardly opening channel 262 in which are spaced openings identical in form to the openings in member 147 illus trated in FIG. 17. Seated Within the channel 261 is a latch retaining member 263 which may be longitudinally coextensive with such channel 262. The member 263 has rebent latch edge portions 264 and 265 of the configuras tion shown;

theopenings in channel 262. The juxtaposed openings in the members 261'and 263 are in effect receptacles for the insertion of a spring clip 267 resiliently to hold the member 263 within the channel 262. The configuration of this spring is identical in formto the spring clip 259 il lustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17. Side cover extension plates 268 and 26% are formed with rebent lower edges 2'79 and 271 respectively terminating in rebent latch portions 272 and 273. The rebent portions Zitl and 271 face side walls 274 and 275 of the member 251 which are spaced apart substantially the same distance as walls 276 and 2'77 of ceiling channel 189. Accordingly, the plates 268 and 269 need only be snapped into place with the latching portions 272 and 273 releasably engaged beneath the rebent latch portions 264 and ass of the member 263. The

, ceiling channel may be fastened directly to the ceiling as by screws, for example, and may include a resilient seat or seal to accommodate variations in the evenness of the ceiling. The ceiling channel itself maybe made of steel Upon comparison of this figure with FIG. 16, it will be realized that the joint between the panel section and the Referring now to FIG. 29, I illustrate the manner in The bottom 265 of the member 263 is. formed with openings identical in form and opposed to Each tie bar includes cross-bridge members ceiling channel is essentially identical inform to the joint between the panel section and the floor channel.

' FlG. is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the just described joint connection employed in the panel sectionfloor channel joint as it would appear in the coinpleted partition unit. Panel plates'Zltl and 2551 together with panel vertical 282 form one panel wall section which may have the aforementioned suitable insulation material 283 therein. Another panel wallsection joined thereto includes panel plates 284 and 285 joined to panel vertical 235. These. panel verticals are welded to stilts 2.57 and 23% positioned on shims 239. Key members as that shown at 2% are employed firmly to lock the panel verticals in their proper relative positions. As shown, the panel plate 1 sections include ribs 29 and 292 seating therein channel member 2% with retaining member 2%- therein held by the aforedescribed spring clips. 295

Side cover base plates and 296 are latched Within the retaining member 2%,

to cover the distance between the base and the floor channel 297. These plates may extend the length of the partition wall to form a neat and flush, slightly recessed, baseboard for the partition system. An outlet or receptacle 2% may readily be positioned in the side cover plates which are electrically connected to the wire conduit C extending through stilts 237 and upwardly through the post construction to an outlet as that illustrated in FIG. 11. These outlets can be formed in the post caps 299 which are snapped in place on the panel verticals.

' FIG. 31 is an exploded view illustrating the manner inwhich a four-way post construction can be achieved utilizing special spring clips to lock the various members in place. The four-way post construction includes opposite panel'verticals 3% and dill having rebent edge flanges 392 and enlarged central channels 3%. These panel ver-- 361. These keys include offset central portions 3W7 having" cutout portions 35% therein. These cutout portions accommodate the inwardly extending channel portions of panel verticals 3G9 and 31%. These panel verticals are identical in form to the panel verticals 3th and 3d Each of the panel verticals shown includes vertically extending grooves 311 in the sides of the central channel portions 303.

Accordingly, it will be seen that the keys 3% and 365 will hold the verticals and 3d properly together.

However, a further retaining means is required to hold the verticals MW and 31% in the proper mating nested rela tion to the verticals 3% and Edi in order to form the proper miter joints to maintain the rebent edge flanges in proper abutting position. For this purpose, I provide a special spring clip 31.? which includes a central body portion 313 having reinforcing embossment 314 therein.

From the body extend the legs 315 which closely conform to the outside of the central channel of the panel vertical.

, Barbs or tangs 316 are punched inwardly from the legs once in place, the clip cannot easily be removed. Extend ing from the body 313 in a direction opposite to the legs 315 are legs 317 having outwardly punched barbs The legs 31? are spaced apart a distance such that the outside thereof willbe in contact with the outside bottom portions of the enlarged channels in verticals Frillland After the clip is inserted on the vertical 31th in the manner 7 shown, the vertical ncedonly be placed in the nested position and the resiliency in the legs'fbl? will permit-the barbs These keys include tip hook-like 318 to ride over the channels 383 such that the barbs will snap or lock behind the far edge of such channels. The panel vertical 3li9'is illustrated in its assembled position having the clip 319 snapped'or locked in its assembled position. It can readily be seen that the clip members may easily be assembled'onthe panel verticals and that such may be employedlreadily to assemble and lock together the elements of'my post construction. With the aid of escrow driver, pliersor similar tool, the clips can readily be disassembl'ed'due to the inherent-resiliency of thematerial employed in the clips. In this manner, the legs 317 need only be squeezed together to release the panel vertical 310'.

FIGS. 32, 33, 34 and 35 illustrate a three and four-way post construction and an alternative form of clip that may be employed firmly to secure theipanel verticals together. Referring first to FIG. 32, I have illustrated a three-way post construction employing panel verticals 32% and 321 held together by keys 322' and 323. The key member 322. is of the bowed configuration permitting the utilization of a conduit within the post construction. Both of these key members employ the hook-like tip portions which engage behind the rebent edge flanges of the panel vertical firmly to hold the verticals 326' and 321 in their proper spaced position. To secure the third panel vertical 324 in place, I employ the special clip 325' illustrated in more detail in FIG. 34.

Referring now to such FIG. 34, it' will' be seen that the clip comprises a central body portion 326, the opposite end portions of which have legs 327 extending therefrom. These legs have the inwardly punched barbs 323 which are similar in form to the barbs 316 of theclip 312. Thus the legs 32.7 together with the extremities of the body portion' 326form spaced 'U-shaped retaining clips which may readily be snapped over the central channel of the panel verticals with the barbs resiliently engaging within grooves 329'on the outside'of such central channels. The central portion of the body of the cliphas two outwardly extending wings 33d)- and 331'having' respective rebent edges 332 and 333. These'edges are positioned such that they will abut the edges ofthe rebent flanges 33d and 335' of the panel vertical to whichthe clip' is attached. It can readily be seen that'the rebent portions present a latching edge extending beyond such rebent flanges and, with special referenceto FIG. 33, it will be seen that the resiliency of the wing portions permits the rebent edges 332 and 333 to latch behind the edges of the rebent flanges 336 and 337 of the opposed verticals 329 and 321 when the panel section of vertical 324 is shoved into nested position. In this manner, the rebent edges will closely abutthe juxtaposed edges of the mating rebent flanges of the mitered panel verticals to retain the same in the position shown in FIG. 33. In the three-way post construction shown in FIGS. 32'and 33, a post cap 338 is employed to close the fourth side of'the post'construction.

With reference to FIG. 35, it will be seen that a fourway post construction may readily be assembled using such. clips to hold the panel verticals 34d and 341 in the position shown while the panel verticals 342 and 343 are locked together bythe use of the key members seams 345, these keys being'of the same configuration as key 323 in FIG. 32. It is noted that the clips employed are of such'configuration that they will not in the least interfere with any wire conduits employed in my post constructions.

Referring now to the finished end construction shown in FIGS. 36 and 37, it will'be seen'that a special key 350 is employed with a panel vertical 351 to support and'rigidify post cap 352 thus forming my finished end construction. The key 350 has protections 353 and 354 which closely fit behind the return flanges 355 and 356 of the panel verticaliit'rl.- In order to clear the enlarged central channel357'of the panel vertical, the key is re cessed as shown at 358'sufiiciently to provide a consider ablelateral clearance between the sides of the channel 357'and thekey;

lid

The outer end of the key is formed with two lateral projections 359 and behind which fit the ends or" a reinforcing channel member 561. This channel member provides a support for the end post cap 352 which is of the general U-shape shown. This cap is provided with the rebent latch portions 362. and 353 to facilitate the latching thereof to the return flanges 35d and 356 of the panel vertical.

The width of the recess 355 shown as A in FIG. 37 readily permits the key 35% to be tilted to the initial position shown. In this position, the projections 353 and 354 will clear the return flanges 355 and 356 thus permitting the key to be positioned with the recess 358 fully enclosing the channel 357. When in this position, the key is then straightened to the horizontal position, wherein the projections 353 and 354 will closely fit or wedge behind the return flanges. The twisting of the key to the horizontal position locks the clip in place and it may be driven downwardly to seat on tangs or projections 354 and 365 struck from the central channel 357. In this position, the key will be firmly secured to the panel vertical in a horizontal position. If desired, a recess 366 may be formed in the key to accommodate a thrupost construction later to be described.

With reference now to FIGS. 38, 39 and 40, I have illustrated a modified form or" my base assembly. The side panel plates 3% and 371 of the panel wall are provided with reinforcing ribs 372 and 373. Such ribs have inwardly directed flange portions 374 and 375, with the bottom edges of the plates 37!) and 371 terminating at such flanges. These flange portions are rebent to form a downwardly opening central channel therebetween and terminate in upwardly directed flanges 376' and 377. These upwardly directed flan e portions may be secured directly together as by welding to form the bottom of the panel wall section.

The downwardly opening channel formed by the flange portions 374 and 375 encloses a longitudinally extending latch member 378 which is of the channel form shown and has the leg portions thereof rebent to form continuous horizontal latches as shown at 379 and 380. In order to retain the channel shaped latching member 378 within the channel formed by the flanges 374 and 375, I employ the special spring clip illustrated more clearly in FIGS. 39 and 40. This clip is provided with a body 381 having a resilient tongue 382 projecting therefrom. This tongue bears against the latch member 373 as shown at 383 to hold it within the channel. In order to retain the latch in position, two upstanding ears 384 and 335 are provided having projections 3% and 337 which overlie the top surface of the respective flange portions 374 and 375; The latch member 373 as well as the flange portions are provided with juxtaposed apertures 388 to permit the insertion of the clip so that the projections 336 and 387 as well as the tip of the spring tongue 382 will properly bear against and hold the respective parts to position resiliently the latch member 378 within the downwardly opening channel.

Baseboard plates 389 and 39% are provided having rebent top flanges terminating in edge portions 3% and 392 which are latched behind the rebent latch portions 379 and 38% respectively of the longitudinally extending latch member 378. The resilient mounting of the latching member 373 will thus tend to pull upwardly the portions 393 and 3% of the baseboard plates to pivot them about their points of contact 393 and 394 to swing them inwardly against the base or floor channel 395. Accordingly, the upward pressure on the upper ends of the baseboard plates will tend to keep the floor edges thereof firmly against the floor channel even when there are certain variations in the floor level. Thus a continuous contact or grip will be obtained between the baseboard and the floor channel throughout the length of the panel.

in order further to compensate for unevenness in the floor and to provide a complete light and sound seal, I 

1. A PARTITION ASSEMBLY FOR INTERIOR PARTITIONS AND THE LIKE COMPRISING PANEL SECTIONS INTERCONNECTED TO FORM PARTITION WALLS, SAID PANEL SECTIONS INCLUDING SPACED PANEL PLATES HAVING PANEL VERTICALS SECURED TO THE ENDS THEREOF, SAID PANEL VERTICALS HAVING CENTRAL DEEP U-SHAPE CHANNEL PORTIONS AND REBENT VERTICAL EDGE PORTIONS, KEY MEANS POSITIONED BETWEEN SAID REBENT EDGE PORTIONS AND SAID CHANNEL PORTIONS HOLDING SAID PANEL VERTICALS IN PREDETERMINED SPACED RELATIONSHIP TO LOCK SAD PANEL SECTIONS TOGETHER, SAID KEY MEANS HAVING BOWED CENTRAL PORTION TOACCOMMODATE CONDUITS AND THE LIKE POSTIONED WITHIN SAID PARTITION BETWEEN SAID PANEL VERTICALS, MEANS ON SAID PANEL VERTICALS TO RETAIN SAID KEY MEANS IN PLACE, STILT MEANS SECURED TO THE BOTTOMS OF SAID PANEL VERTICALS FITTING WITHIN A U-SHAPE FLOOR CHANNEL, SAID STILT MEANS HAVING RECESSED LOWER PORTION SPACING THE FEET OF SAID STILT MEANS FARTHER APART THAN SAID PANEL VERTICAL TO ACCOMMODATE SUCH CON DUIT AND THE LIKE EXTENDING FROM SAID FLOOR CHANNEL UPWARDLY BETWEEN SAID PANEL VERTICALS, POST CAPS FLUSH WITH SAID PANEL PLATES CONTINUOUSLY VERTICALLY RESILIENTLY EN- 